Glass Nickel Pizza Co. Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Glass Nickel Pizza Co. serves a variety of specialty pizzas, salads, and sandwiches, focusing on fresh ingredients and a family-friendly dining experience.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

Franchise fee

$35,000

Investment

$943,000 - $1,709,000

Revenue (AUV)

n.a.

Glass Nickel Pizza Co. is a handcrafted pizza franchise that began in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1997. It was founded by Brian Glassel and Tim Nicholson, who opened the first location on Atwood Avenue.

The brand is headquartered in Madison, and its franchising operations are managed by GN Independents, Inc., incorporated in 2006. Known for its dedication to quality and fresh ingredients, the company has expanded to multiple locations throughout Wisconsin.

The franchise started offering opportunities to others in late 2006, with new stores opening in places like Green Bay and Brookfield. Glass Nickel Pizza Co. specializes in pizza, calzones, salads, sandwiches, and beverages, with signature menu items like The Thai Pie, The Ranch, and the Fetalicious.

The brand emphasizes variety and creativity, catering to both traditional and adventurous pizza lovers.

Glass Nickel differentiates itself through sustainability and a local-first mindset. It uses eco-friendly delivery vehicles powered by recycled fryer oil and hybrids, energy-efficient ovens, and LED lighting.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchise is $943,000 - $1,709,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Glass Nickel Pizza Co. offers 2 types of franchises:

Restaurant Type	Initial Investment
Carryout and Delivery Restaurant	$943,000 to $1,330,500
Dine-In Restaurant	$986,500 to $1,708,500

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. Dine-In Restaurant.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$35,000
Real Estate/Rent	$10,000 – $25,000
Utility Deposits	$0 – $3,000
Leasehold Improvements	$250,000 – $500,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment	$340,000 – $515,000
POS System	$40,000 – $65,000
Initial Inventory	$18,000 – $35,000
Insurance	$15,000 – $35,000
Signage	$10,000 – $30,000
Office Equipment & Supply	$15,500 – $37,500
Grand Opening or Pre-Opening	$0 – $8,000
Vehicle	$0 – $40,000
Training	$30,000 – $50,000
Uniforms	$2,500 – $5,000
Licenses & Permits	$500 – $5,000
Legal & Accounting	$15,000 – $20,000
Dues & Subscriptions	$0
Initial Payroll/Training Wages	$30,000 – $40,000
Additional Funds / Working Capital (3 months)	$175,000 – $300,000
Total	$986,500 – $1,708,500

Glass Nickel Pizza Co. offers 2 types of franchises:

Restaurant Type	Initial Investment
Carryout and Delivery Restaurant	$943,000 to $1,330,500
Dine-In Restaurant	$986,500 to $1,708,500

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. Dine-In Restaurant.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$35,000
Real Estate/Rent	$10,000 – $25,000
Utility Deposits	$0 – $3,000
Leasehold Improvements	$250,000 – $500,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment	$340,000 – $515,000
POS System	$40,000 – $65,000
Initial Inventory	$18,000 – $35,000
Insurance	$15,000 – $35,000
Signage	$10,000 – $30,000
Office Equipment & Supply	$15,500 – $37,500
Grand Opening or Pre-Opening	$0 – $8,000
Vehicle	$0 – $40,000
Training	$30,000 – $50,000
Uniforms	$2,500 – $5,000
Licenses & Permits	$500 – $5,000
Legal & Accounting	$15,000 – $20,000
Dues & Subscriptions	$0
Initial Payroll/Training Wages	$30,000 – $40,000
Additional Funds / Working Capital (3 months)	$175,000 – $300,000
Total	$986,500 – $1,708,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Glass Nickel Pizza Co.'s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Glass Nickel Pizza Co. had 9 total units in 2024, of which 9 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Glass Nickel Pizza Co.

key competitors in the

Pizza

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

New

4.00%

$943,000

$1,709,000

n.a.

Pizza Hut

$200K - $500K

5214

New

-2%

6% - 6.5%

$462,000

$2,054,000

$969,000

n.a.

Patsy's Pizzeria

$200K - $500K

New

-29%

6.00%

$399,000

$766,000

n.a.

Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria

$200K - $500K

New

-17%

6.00%

$305,000

$764,000

n.a.

Aurelio's Pizza

$200K - $500K

New

-9%

5.00%

$438,000

$1,253,000

n.a.

Donatos Pizza

Over $500K

125

New

4.00%

$542,000

$1,038,000

$958,000

9.5%

Hangar 54 Pizza

Under $25K

162

New

57%

n.a.

$9,000

$644,000

n.a.

Training

Glass Nickel Pizza Co. provides a structured training program for new franchisees to ensure consistent quality and operational excellence across all locations. The franchisor offers several components of training, designed to prepare franchisees for both day-to-day operations and long-term business success.

Initial Training Program: Franchisees and key personnel are required to attend and complete an initial training program provided by the franchisor. This training typically lasts up to four weeks and is held at an operating Glass Nickel Pizza Co. restaurant designated by the franchisor. It includes classroom instruction and hands-on learning covering menu preparation, customer service, sanitation, employee management, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
On-Site Opening Assistance: The franchisor provides on-site support at the franchisee’s location around the time of the grand opening. This includes guidance in kitchen operations, front-of-house procedures, and staff training to ensure a smooth launch.
Ongoing Training and Support: Glass Nickel Pizza Co. offers continued access to updated operational procedures and may provide refresher courses or additional training as needed. Franchisees are expected to maintain the standards taught during initial training and are encouraged to participate in ongoing development opportunities.

Territory Protection

Glass Nickel Pizza Co. does offer limited territory protection to its franchisees. The franchisor typically grants an exclusive territory defined in the Franchise Agreement, which prevents them from establishing or licensing another franchised or company-owned restaurant within that area.

This protected territory is generally based on population density or a specified geographic radius, and its exact size may vary depending on market conditions.

However, the franchisor may reserve certain rights even within a protected area. For example, they may retain the ability to sell products through non-traditional venues such as stadiums, airports, or online platforms.